Extraordinary optical transmission coupled to a gain medium through periodic arrays of subwavelength apertures

摘要

In this letter, the amplification of extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) phenomena in periodic arrays of subwavelength apertures incorporating gain media is theoretically investigated. Specifically, we consider a realistic structure consisting of a silver film perforated by a periodic array of slits and clad on each side by a homogeneous pumped dielectric thin film containing gain medium. By solving the semiclassical electronic rate equations with the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, we show how the resonant electric-field enhancement associated with EOT properties enables complete ohmic loss compensation at moderate pump intensity levels.